After listening to Gabriela Pereira speak about her process of mind mapping and reverse engineered goals, I decided this made sense to me. I plan my novels by starting at the end, so why not the other projects I’m working on.

I like this idea for several reasons:

First, this process requires you to see the end that you want and is time specific. Deadlines are good! Mostly!

Second, reverse engineered goals require that you think through what needs to happen to reach that goal.

Third, by going through these steps, you are able to test your commitment to your goal. What that means is by thinking through the steps, and the impact on your life, you can see if the goal is feasible within the time frame you decided upon.

Fourth, because reverse engineered goals begin with brainstorming, you have a visual reminder of your process. This is helpful for me because if it isn’t written down, I tend to forget it.

Recap of Reverse Engineered Goals

As a reminder of the steps to reverse engineered goal setting are as follows, according to :

1. Determine the most basic level of the goal.
2. Ensure you are committed.
3. Identify as many steps as possible that are required to reach your goal.
4. Take action.

The IRL example of reversed engineered goal setting:

One of the goals I would like to achieve according to my very own mind mapping is to launch an ebook in September, in time for NaNoWriMo.

Here is a picture of the brainstorming of this goal:

This is my first session and I believe there will be more as I solidify my goal. But for this example, I have an idea of how to plan the steps.

Goal – Launch ebook – September 1, 2018
August – Media blitz
July – Create graphics and media documents, format ebook, website updates
June – Send to fellow WriMo’s for edits.
May – Make changes suggested by editor
April – While waiting for the edits, plan for changes to website and create media plan
March – Final edits, send to editor
February – Finish writing
January – Dig out original draft. Read through and make notes.

Hope for Goal SettingAs I look over my plan, this appears to be doable. None of these steps are unreachable and by breaking down the steps I believe I can achieve this goal. I can see reaching this goal.

Also, as I look over this list, I can see that each one of these monthly goals can be broken down into weekly goals. I intend to do this by brainstorming each month, as I believe necessary to create the next steps.